The summer of 1994, with the World Cup in the USA, became an enchanted Swedish football summer. Brolin, Dahlin, Ravelli and all the other bronze heroes created football fever throughout the country, and were celebrated at their homecoming by 50,000 people in Rålambshovsparken.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan was the first World Cup to be played in Asia. Sweden was drawn into what was known as the "Group of Death" along with Argentina, England and Nigeria. Sweden sensationally won the group after, among other things, Anders Svensson's classic free kick goal against Argentina. Brazil eventually won the World Cup gold medal and Ronaldo became the tournament's top scorer.